Politics

Japanese politics

Politics

Japan’s Noto Peninsula Earthquake: A Reflection on Government Response and Challenges

The Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck the Noto region on New Year’s Day recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 7, causing extensive human and material damage. The following day, a tragic accident occurred on the runway of Haneda Airport, where a Japan Coast Guard aircraft carrying relief supplies for the disaster-struck area collided with a Japan Airlines plane, resulting in the death of five coast guard personnel. Amidst a turbulent start to the year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s inadequate disaster response has rapidly drawn increasing criticism. The Political Landscape and Kishida’s Response Some LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) insiders suggested that the Noto Peninsula earthquake presented an opportunity for the Kishida...

Economy

The Stalemate in the Construction of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Shizuoka Prefecture

Introduction The Linear Chuo Shinkansen project, spearheaded by JR Central, faces significant challenges in Shizuoka Prefecture, particularly with the construction of the South Alps Tunnel. Governor Heita Kawakatsu, 75, is at the center of controversy, creating a tightening siege with his opposition to the project. This situation not only affects regional development but also has broader implications for Japan’s transportation infrastructure and disaster resilience plans. The Environmental Concerns and Governor Kawakatsu’s Stance Governor Kawakatsu has expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact of the tunnel construction, particularly on the Oigawa River flow and the South Alps’ ecosystem. His reservations have led to prolonged negotiations with JR Central, causing significant delays...

Politics

Evaluating Ibaraki Prefecture’s Simulation of a Nuclear Accident at Tokai No.2 Power Plant

Introduction Ibaraki Prefecture’s Tokai No.2 Nuclear Power Plant, surrounded by a population of 920,000 within a 30-kilometer radius, recently made headlines with the release of a “radiation dispersion simulation” in November last year. The simulation results have raised concerns about the preparedness and the adequacy of evacuation plans in the event of a severe nuclear incident. The Simulation and Its Implications Based on calculations by Japan Atomic Power Company, the simulation showed that in the event of a northeast wind, cities such as Mito downwind could see up to 170,000 people needing evacuation. This number surpasses the 160,000 people evacuated during the Fukushima nuclear disaster and could swell significantly when...

Politics

Breaking Barriers: Japan’s Communist Party on the Brink of Historic Leadership Change

The Communist Party of Japan, a political mainstay for over a century, is poised for its first leadership change since 2000, with Tomoko Tamura, the 58-year-old policy chief, set to make history as the party’s first female leader. Amidst dwindling support for opposition coalitions and organizational weakening, this surprising appointment could be a strategic move to revitalize the party’s influence. Tamura’s rise to prominence was sealed at the 10th Central Committee General Assembly, where she took the helm from Kazuo Shii, the incumbent leader, to propose a draft resolution for the party’s 29th Congress in January 2024. Her powerful closing speech, echoed by the party’s newspaper, ‘Shimbun Akahata,’ marked a...

Politics

Rising to the Challenge: Japan’s Quest for a Stronger Defense Industry Presence

October 2023 marked a significant moment in the global defense industry with the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol proudly declared the nation’s transformation from a defense importer to an advanced fighter jet exporter. With ambitions to secure a 5% share in the global arms market by 2027, South Korea’s defense exports in 2022 reached approximately 2.59 trillion yen, ranking around the world’s top 10. In contrast, Japan’s approach to defense equipment transfer, as outlined in the recently approved security documents, focuses on strategic foreign policy and nurturing the defense industry’s growth. However, discussions between Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito have been...

Economy

Navigating Japan’s ‘Poli-Crisis’: Debunking Fiscal Discipline Amid Global Turmoil

At the October 10th Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council meeting, focused on economic measures, BNP Paribas Securities member Mana Nakasora, known for her fiscal conservatism, asserted it was time to revert Japan’s finances to normalcy post-pandemic. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki echoed this, emphasizing the need to focus on normalcy. Yet, this rhetoric seems disconnected from global realities. Just days before Nakasora’s statement, Hamas launched attacks on Israel, a stark reminder that global conflicts like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war directly impact Japan through surging energy and food prices, inducing cost-push inflation. While the pandemic may be receding, with COVID-19 reclassified in Japan from Category 2 to 5 in May, the resulting...

Politics

Japan’s Kishida Faces Growing Discontent: A Dive into Tax Cuts and Political Strife

Amidst an unrelenting disaffection towards Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, widely nicknamed ‘Tax-Hike Kishida’ on the internet, a substantial economic package exceeding 17 trillion yen was announced, aiming to counteract his image with income tax cuts. However, these tax reductions have stirred criticism not just from opposition parties but also within his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leading to a further decline in cabinet approval ratings. The situation within the LDP appears especially fraught, with internal criticism hinting at a struggle for leadership ahead of a potential general election, stirring up speculations about Kishida’s successor. A critical point was the Senate plenary session on October 25th, following Kishida’s policy speech. The...

Politics

Gaza in Crisis: Voices from the Brink

The situation in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory, is deteriorating daily. In October 2023, a child died every seven minutes, a rate ten times higher than the child fatalities in the first year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This staggering statistic paints a grim picture of what might be one of the world’s most tragic and unjust scenes. I offer an analysis and report on the current situation in Gaza, drawing from my experience in humanitarian aid in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Syria. Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip located in the north, is a densely populated hub of homes and shops....

Politics

The Hidden Chronicles of Japan-North Korea Negotiations: The Distortion of Diplomacy under Abe’s Regime

In the intricate tapestry of international relations, few threads are as entangled and as enigmatic as those between Japan and North Korea. This deep dive into the veiled history of Japan-North Korea negotiations not only unveils the roots of this complex relationship but also critically examines the twists and turns it took under the administration of Shinzo Abe. We also explore the subsequent inertia in the diplomatic efforts of Fumio Kishida’s government, a legacy of his predecessor’s policies. This article sheds light on the complex historical and contemporary dynamics of Japan-North Korea relations, with a particular focus on the diplomatic strategies under Shinzo Abe and the subsequent direction under Fumio...

Politics

Shigeru Ishiba: A New Political Force Emerges as a Prime Ministerial Contender

In the ever-evolving landscape of Japanese politics, the former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru Ishiba, is garnering renewed attention. Ishiba’s blog, known for its incisive commentary, has reinvigorated his political presence, positioning him as a potential candidate for the next Prime Minister. His straightforward and unvarnished opinions have resonated with a broad spectrum of the electorate, including the non-aligned voters. Ishiba’s blog, rivaling the vigor of opposition voices, offers profound insights and critiques of the current political status quo. He fearlessly criticizes government economic policies and opposition stances, providing a unique perspective that breaks free from conventional political boundaries. Amidst the waning support for Prime Minister Kishida’s administration,...